Nutrena returns as the naming sponsor of the National Reining Breeders Classic Open Classic Challenge Reception set for Friday evening April 21 in the Sponsor Pavilion of the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas.

The fun at this reception is great food plus great watching – and that begins early with the Rein in Cancer Frisbee toss. Frisbees will be on sale all week, and at the appointed time, buyers can throw them into the arena. The ones that get closest to the targets win special prizes. Of course, there’s no better seat in the house to watch the competition than at the Nutrena reception – and high scores and high excitement will make the Nutrena Open Classic Challenge Reception an event to remember.

 “The folks Nutrena became part of our NRBC family when they came on board as sponsors a few years ago,” said NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Cody. “We are thrilled to welcome them back again and we truly appreciate their support of our event and our exhibitors.” Sharon Choney, Nutrena South Texas Equine Consultant, said, “We are excited to continue our relationship the NRBC which brings in the best competitors, trainers and equine athletes from across the nation. Providing the highest quality equine nutrition is at the heart of what we do, and helping horses realize their full potential is our passion through our detailed nutrition programs and superior feeds. It is fantastic to be able to support many of the top riders, faithful clients and premium equine athletes that align in this framework. We are very excited to meet and cheer on many more of you and your equine partners throughout the week.”

Nutrena® is a premium brand of horse feed produced by Cargill, Inc., a worldwide producer of agricultural products. Cargill has 151 years of innovative research and development through its Innovation Center in Elk River Minnesota as well as many long time Relationships with some of America’s leading universities.

Using the highest quality ingredients and the most up-to-date nutritional technology, Cargill manufactures and markets a complete line of Nutrena® branded feeds and supplements that help horses maintain optimal health throughout all stages of life, from the breeding farm to the show ring.

For superior Performance, you need to begin with top nutrition and premium feeds, and Nutrena should be the first choice for your Equine Athlete. Whether you’re looking for the benefits that come from high-fat diets calorie dense diets within the ProForce Family or SafeChoice Family that brings you simplicity of feeding and peace of mind – Nutrena can find a solution for every situation. Nutrena provides feeds for every life stage from the breeding farm to the professional athlete onto the active senior horse and everything in between.

At the Nutrena booth during the NRBC, Choney, along with Nutrena Representative Kirk Chilson will provide information about any of the products in the Nutrena® or Progressive Nutrition Feed lines; as well as the Health Supplements used to maximizes to winning and health potential – to aid in the overall health, muscle gain and recovery, gut health, and electrolytes. Nutrena® works with riders and trainers as well as the equine athletes to customize nutrition programs to meet their requirements to be able to maximize their genetic and performance potential. There will be daily drawings for a month’s worth of Premium Equine feed as well as many other goodies and giveaways. To learn more about Nutrena visit the website at www.nutrenaworld.com/horsefeeds.

The National Reining Breeders Classic has announced that Dun It For Whizkey / Inferno Sixty Six will sponsor the Hospitality Stations at the twentieth NRBC, set for April 16-23 in Katy, Texas. It is a show already known for hospitality and special amenities, but the NRBC steps it up another level for the anniversary year through the support of some premier breeders in the reining industry.

Bred and owned by Cardinal Reining Horses, Dun It For Whizkey is a 2013 AQHA gray stallion. Shown by Franco Bertolani, Dun It For Whizkey dominated futurity competitions last year thanks to his extreme physical talent and trainable disposition. Showing against the best in the world, the duo won the Tulsa Reining Classic Open L4 Futurity Championship and the AQHA Congress Open L4 Futurity Championship. Then, at NRHA’s biggest event, Bertolani guided the flashy stallion to the NRHA Open L4 Futurity Co-Reserve Championship out of 376 entries. All in all, Dun It For Whizkey won $165,000 in only three outings.

A blue blood through and through, Dun It For Whizkey is by Topsail Whiz, the NRHA All-Time #1 Reining Sire, with offspring earning over 11 million dollars. His dam, Dun It For Chex, was the NRHA #1 Leading Dam for 2016, and she has produced offspring earning over $669,000. Dun It For Whizkey will continue to be shown by trainer Franco Bertolani, while starting his breeding career in 2017.

Inferno Sixty Six has been turning heads ever since he first walked into the show pen. He is sired by NRHA Open Futurity Champion Gunnatrashya. His dam, Snip O Gun, is an NRHA All-Time Leading Producer, with offspring earnings of over $781,000+. Shown by Franco Bertolani, Inferno Sixty Six will continue his lucrative show career in 2017. Inferno Sixty Six and Bertolani were the 2015 NRHA Open L4 Futurity Reserve Champions (after a run-off) and 2016 NRBC Top Ten Open Finalists, and the stallion has earnings of over $162,000. Owned by Slide or Die, LLC, Inferno Sixty Six was in high demand last year and will again stand at Cardinal Reining Horses in 2017.

Located on 200 stunning acres in Aubrey, Texas, Cardinal Ranch has a state-of-the-art breeding facility, fully equipped for all breeding operations such as frozen and cooled shipped semen, full-time mare management, foaling out, and embryo transfers. For more information on Dun It For Whizkey and Inferno Sixty Six, visit the website at www.cardinalreininghorses.com.

Twin Cities Featherlite has been part of the National Reining Breeders Classic since its inception. So when the curtain falls on the 2017 NRBC set for April 16 – 23, 2017 at the Great Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, the new Classic Champions will – for the twentieth time – receive one year’s use of a new horse trailer provided by Twin Cities Featherlite Trailer Sales.

NRBC Board Member Tim McQuay was instrumental in bringing Twin Cities on board through his friendship with owner Gary Raak. He said, “Gary has been a friend for as long as I can remember. He was also a good friend of my dad’s. He has always been there when I needed him and when I asked him about the NRBC trailer he immediately said yes and has never looked back. I’m sure he is the longest standing trailer sponsor any reining has ever had. We are so fortunate to have his support and many winners have had the joy of hauling one of Gary’s trailers signature NRBC trailers.”

Twin Cities Featherlite is a full-service operation selling both new and used trailers and providing servicing and financing. The company has locations both in Elko, Minnesota and in Pilot Point, Texas. Twin Cities Featherlite’s Elko location is conveniently located just 24 miles south of Minneapolis, Minnesota on Interstate Highway 35 and County Rd 2, exit 76.

Twin Cities South is located at 8448 Hwy 377, just south of Pilot Point. Contact Twin Cities at 952-461-6548 or at www.featherlitetrailers.com, or at the south location at 855-585-6548 or twincitiessouthtrailers.com.     

Quarter Horse News continues as a partner to the National Reining Breeders Classic as the exclusive sponsor of the 2017 NRBC Slide Street Journal.

The Slide Street Journal is the voice of the NRBC, emailed periodically year-round with news of the program and the event. During the show, this year set for April 16-23, it is printed and hand-delivered to the stall area early each morning along with being emailed around the globe in digital form.

NRBC Vice President Colleen McQuay commended Quarter Horse News for its longtime support of the NRBC and of the entire reining industry. “Quarter Horse News has been a loyal partner to the National Reining Breeders Classic for over fourteen years. The NRBC has always been proud to have both the Quarter Horse News media and marketing teams attend and be part of this event.”

Savannah Magoteaux, Associate Publisher of Quarter Horse News, returned Colleen’s sentiments. “I’ve attended almost every NRBC since its inception in 1998, and it is one of my most anticipated events each year. I have seen first-hand the passion, integrity, and vision of the program’s Board of Directors and staff. I have no doubt this incredible show will only continue to exceed expectations in the coming years.”

She continued, “All of us here at Quarter Horse News congratulate the NRBC for celebrating its twentieth event in 2017. Reiners, sponsors, and spectators know that the event is first-class, and there is no better hospitality to be found than at this very special show in Katy, Texas.” A leading source for news in the western performance world, Quarter Horse News is a staple for any serious reining participant or fan for event coverage, profiles and in-depth reporting on issues that impact the industry. For information on Quarter Horse News, visit the website at www.quarterhorsenews.com.

The fun continues even after the Open Finals are completed at the 2017 National Reining Breeders Classic, slated for April 16-23 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. That’s because of the annual Victory Party, which is held directly after the finals’ competition. This year, Matt Mills Reining Horses will sponsor the festivities, which feature a live performance from The County Line Band, heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks.

“This party is a highlight of the show,” noted NRBC President Tom McCutcheon. “It’s a great place to visit and celebrate the event – plus the new champion and $75,000 winner is always a special guest! We’re excited to have the County Line Band back, as they have performed at several past NRBCs.”

“When Cheryl Cody approached us to ask if Team Mills would be interested in sponsoring the victory part for the 20th anniversary of the NRBC, we jumped on the opportunity!” Matt said. “We look forward to this event every year and in our opinion, it’s one of the very best!! Let’s celebrate the victory for the 2017 NRBC open champion!”

McCutcheon thanked Mills for sponsoring the event. “We thank Matt, his family, and his customers for supporting the NRBC,” he said. “We are able to make this show enjoyable for exhibitors and owners because of their commitment and the support of other great sponsors.”

The County Line Band has performed all across Texas, from Corpus to Dallas, Houston to Midland. In the 80’s and early 90’s County Line was the backing band for Fiddling Frenchie Burke, and the band has opened for many of country music’s top artists, including Garth Brooks, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Van Shelton, John Conlee, Vern Gosdin, Doug Stone, Asleep at the Wheel, and more.

Born and raised in Southern California, Matt began riding horses at an early age. He enjoyed a successful career as a youth rider, earning multiple championships throughout California in a variety of disciplines including western pleasure, horsemanship and trail. In 1996 he switched his focus to reining and a few years later established his own training operation in Scottsdale, Arizona. He trains and shows futurity and derby horses and also coaches several successful non-pro and youth riders. One of his most memorable accomplishments was winning the 2006 USEF Open Reining Championship on Easy Otie Whiz in Lexington, Kentucky. With a career-high score of 231.5, that ride qualified him to be a member of Team USA that proudly brought home the gold medal from the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany.

Matt is consistently ranked on the NRHA Top Twenty Professionals Riders list and has NRHA lifetime earnings of over $500,000. He is regularly a finalist at major NRHA events and has received several titles including NRHA Intermediate Open Futurity Reserve Champion as well as multiple titles at the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC). He has also earned several large futurity and derby titles including RMRHA Summer Slide, High Roller Reining Classic, SWRHA Futurity and NRHA Cowtown Classic. In addition to his youth, skill and natural riding ability, he is well known for his professionalism, showmanship, and charismatic personality. Consequently, he is in high demand for clinics in the United States, Europe and Mexico.

For more information on Matt Mills visit the website at mattmillsreining.com.

PS Mega Shine Chic Kids Academy runs from April 15- 22 from 1 to 4 pm for kids 10 and under. Teacher Bess Bouley, from Maple Plains, Minnesota, began her career working with kids in a special education program and has nearly thirty years’ experience in child care and preschool.        

Early on, the National Reining Breeders Classic began to offer kids’ activities for various special occasions. The activities were so well received that three years ago the Reiner Kids Academy was born. Now, parents and children look forward to enjoying a variety of games, activities, and projects.

“We are pleased to announce that this year, thanks to the support of new Gold Sponsor Adh Mor Ranch and the stallion PS Mega Shine Chic better known as “Crush”, we are growing our kid’s program at the NRBC,” NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Cody stated. “This year, starting on Easter Sunday PS Mega Shine Chic Kids Academy participants will receive some special gifts from Adh Mor Ranch.”

PS Mega Shine Chic Kids Academy runs from April 15- 22 from 1 to 4 pm for kids 10 and under. Teacher Bess Bouley, from Maple Plains, Minnesota, began her career working with kids in a special education program and has nearly thirty years’ experience in child care and preschool.

Bess clearly enjoys the week. She said, “Kids Academy has been a great experience for me! It makes me happy to provide something fun and constructive for the kids to do during a long week of long days of grown-up activities. I have made many good friends over the last couple years. It is so nice to walk through the barns, and the arena and be greeted by many smiling little faces and their parents. I have become Facebook friends with many families, so I get to keep in touch all through the year and see what they are up to. I truly look forward to seeing them all again at the NRBC.”

Located in Ponoka, Alberta, Canada, Brad and Amanda Kelly’s ADH Mor Ranch is known for both great reining horses and bucking bulls and has lately loomed large in the reining horse world with their great performer, PS Mega Shine Chic. PS Mega Shine Chic is by Shine Chic Shine x Megas Sugar Baby by Marthas Mega Jac. After topping the NRHA Futurity Prospect Sale in 2015, the 2013 AQHA Stallion has gone on to make a mark in the reining record books. Crush was shown by Dany Tremblay to an Open Finalist slot at the 2016 National Reining Horse Association Futurity after a stellar performance and Finalist finish at the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity. In 2017 he’s again showing excellence with an Open Reserve Championship at the Oklahoma Reining Horse Association Derby.

“Crush is perfectly balanced with a fantastic pedigree. Possessing a great mind makes this stallion very trainable and combined with outstanding agility, Crush is hard not to watch in the show pen!. “He is one of those rare horses that comes along only once in a lifetime,” said Fred Tremblay. Brad Kelly agrees, “Crush has the total package of bloodlines, talent, and the look. We are super excited about the future of this young stud and will see his first offspring in 2018. Crush will continue to be trained and shown under Dany Tremblay with numerous 2017 shows in his line-up.” The Kelly’s Adh Mor Ranch, which means Big Luck in Irish, is located in Alberta, Canada and specializes in a wide range of ranching, oil and cattle operations. For information on Adh Mor Ranch and PS Mega Chic Shine, visit the Facebook page.